Dec 28, 2012

UFC 155 Predictions

Doctor Law: The second of what I hope will be many fights between these
two great heavyweights. The first one left much to be desired and really
answered no questions. Both guys having fairly significant injuries almost
makes you want to throw the result out for the first match up. I think everybody
knows what each guy is planning on doing in this fight. Junior is going to want
to keep it standing while Cain will hope to take Junior down and beat him up
there. I think Cain will get Junior down, but Junior will find a way back to
his feet. This is close call, but I think I’m going with the champ to repeat. I
also want to see happy JDS. That’s always pretty funny. JDS by 3rd round TKO. DJ Mark with a "K": Their first fight was so short that it’s difficult to take
away a lot from it. The one thing we learned is that Junior has the power to
stop Cain early in the fight, which isn’t all that surprising but is still a
very important factor.I thought Cain’s
strategy in the first fight was a pretty decent one (he seemed to be focusing
on leg kicks to counter the distance of a boxer like Junior) but was also
putting himself in a lot of danger. This time around I would think Cain would
try a different approach and try to make this a grappling match. Cain’s bread
and butter is wrestling and I think using those skills is the safest way for
him to get his title back. The problem is that Junior is extremely good at
staying off his back. It’ll be interesting to see if Cain is able to get the
match on the ground and if he has the skill to keep Junior there. I fear if
Cain can’t gain control of this fight by either getting it to the ground or
pushing Junior up against the fence it’ll just be a matter of time till Junior
can lay his hands on Cain and retain his title. Since I have yet to see anyone
be able to use this type of game plan against Junior I’m siding with him.
Junior via 2nd round TKO 2:31.

Kid Presentable: First things first, no matter who wins here,
these are the top two heavyweights in the world. Even if Cain gets put to
sleep a minute into the fight once more, I still wouldn’t hesitate to pick him
to smash the rest of the division. That said, I think we’ll see something a
little different this time. Cain is a smart and fast evolving fighter. Everyone
and their mother knows the big question mark is what if Cain took the fight to
the mat? It will be interesting to see Cain’s game plan because you can’t just simply take it to the mat, you have to train how you are going to set up taking
your shot. JDS has some of the most successful take down defense in the division
and even then he has long trained under the Nogueiras and won’t be helpless if
it goes there. I really hope that Cain takes this just to keep this feud going,
because if there are any two fighters deserving of more than just a trilogy of
fights, it’s these two guys here. Overall though, I can’t really pick Cain
until he proves that he can take down and neutralize JDS biggest weapons. Cain
so far has proven to be quite hitable in every one of his fights, and Overeem
is probably the only other guy in the division that hits this hard. JDS by TKO
round 3.

Image via Bleacherreport

Lavender Gooms:I think to call Cain the number #1 contender
would be an insult to just how good he really is. In the heavyweight division Junior Dos Santos
and Cain are 1 and 1A. Both of these
fighters are young(ish) and extremely talented. This might be premature, but I think
this could be the beginning of the first true rivalry in MMA on the same level
as Ali-Frazier. I would not be surprised if the heavyweight title changes hands
between the two of them three or four times in the next five years. There is no denying that JDS caught him (very
well) in their fight a year ago and dropped him very early in their fight. However I attribute that more to Cain losing
his head for a bit and trying to stand with an extremely feared striker and
being much more hesitant than he has ever been.
This time around I see Cain using the high level wrestling he wasn’t
able to use in the first fight. I think
Cain wins this time, mainly because you can’t have a good rivalry stating off
0-2 right? Velasquez by TKO in 3rd round.Picking Dos Santos-Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ MarkPicking Velasquez- GoomsJoe Lauzon v. Jim Miller

Image via Sherdog

Doctor Law: It’s unfortunate that Gray Maynard had to pull out of this
fight, but Jim Miller isn’t a bad replacement. Joe Lauzon has had 29 pro fights
and has only gone to decisions 1 time. Basically, Joe Lauzon does not have
boring fights. Jim Miller is an extremely well rounded fighter and should be a
big test for the only UFC
Fighter/Internet nerd out there. Miller is very tough, but I think Lauzon is
going to find a way to beat him Miller hasn’t look in his last 3 fights, going
1-2 and the in his defeat of Melvin Guillard, he got hit with some huge shots
that could have finished him. Lauzon gets it done here…then maybe he comes on
It’s MMAzing Radio? Lauzon by 3rd
round submission. DJ Mark with a "K": It’s too bad Maynard got hurt because I think Lauzon would
have made for an interesting opponent for him. However, getting Miller to fill
the spot isn’t so bad. The thing with Lauzon is that he’s always been a hot and
cold fighter. In some fights he looks downright scary with his explosive style,
then other times it seems like he just can’t get all the gears in motion. He also
tends to start strong and gas later in the fight which made his recent 3rd
round victory over Varner all the more impressive.However, Miller is one of those guys that has
only lost to the cream of the crop of the 155 division. I think Miller will be
able to withstand the early barrage and will wear down Lauzon late in the fight
to secure a decision victory. Miller by decision

Kid Presentable: One of two fights on this card that lost a
little bit of luster due to injury (hope to see you back soon Grey Maynard).
Regardless though, you get two guys that will down right scrap and always go
for the kill. Miller was right on the cusp of a title shot but has since
dropped a couple and needs to bounce back, while Lauzon is coming off a
potential fight of the year candidate. In my head Jim Miller is basically the better
version of Joe Lauzon. More power in his strikes, a little bit better of a
ground game, a stronger wrestling game... Yet I am kind of leaning an upset
here. Lauzon showed in his last fight the ability to keep the fight and pace
going past the first round, and he feels just a tad higher with the momentum
right here. I would hate see Jim fall into a losing streak here, and could just
as easily see him dropping then choking Lauzon, I am going to take a stab and
say it goes the other way. Lauzon by submission 2nd round.

Lavender Gooms: The reason why Nate Diaz had such a head of
steam and momentum heading into his title fight with Bendo is because he
beat Jim Miller and everyone thought the world of Jim Miller's skill and pedigree as a fighter. Lauzon will capitalize on any mistake that a
fighter gives but Miller will be comfortable enough in this fight that he will
not have to resort to takedowns that will leave him a position to be
submitted. Miller by decisionPicking Lauzon- Kid P, Dr. LawPicking Miller-Gooms, DJ MarkTim Boetsch vs. Constantinos Philippou

Doctor Law: As good ole’ JR would say, this fight is going to be barn
burner. Philippou is stepping in for the injured, and self proclaimed #1
contender, Chris Weidman. Philippou throws heavy hands and Tim Boetsch brings a
pretty well rounded game to the table. I think Boetsch is going to be too much
for him. After the Barbarian gets through this fight with a win, he needs to be
considered a serious contender for Anderson Silva’s belt. Five in row in any
weight class would be pretty damn impress. Boetsch
by 2nd round TKO.DJ Mark with a "K": I’ve been super impressed with Boetsch since he moved down
to Middle Weight. He’s right on the verge of getting a Title shot and this
fight with Philippou seems like a very winnable fight for him. Philippou is a
tough fighter in his own right and has the ability to give Boetsch some
problems but I just feel like Boetsch has already fought and beaten tougher
guys. If he can pick his shots and rough Philippou on the ground I think he get
a late stoppage on Philippou. Boetsch via 3rd round TKO 3:58.

Kid Presentable: This fight originally carried a lot more weight when
Timmy was fighting Chris “I’m the only one who cares about my title shot”
Weidman. Both guys were essentially fighting for next, or on deck at the
furthest. Philippou is an entertaining fighter who will always be willing to
swing for it all, but Tim has proven to be an incredibly tough out, and a beast
of grappler with his Redneck Judo. This won’t be the name Tim needs to get
himself to the front of the line, but the matchup tends to favor him in every
area. While Philippou has power, he isn’t technical enough of a striker to find
the holes in Timmy’s standup, and Timmy should be able to go Beast Mode all
over Philippou in the clinch and with takedowns. Timmy by TKO round 2.

Lavender Gooms: The Barbarian scoffs at this late replacement. Since moving down to middleweight, Boetch has
won four straight and looked like a bona-fide title contender. Philippou faces his toughest fight yet,
filling on short notice for Chris Weidman who suffered a shoulder injury a few
weeks ago. With his heavy hands, steel
jaw and wrestling, Boetsch should get the better of Phlilppou in each
area. Superior wrestling will decide
this match and earn the Barbarian an easy decision. Boestch by decision.Picking Boetsch- All of usPicking Phlilppou-Alan Belcher v. Yushin Okami

Doctor Law: A rematch of a fight that happened about six years ago, Alan
Belcher looks to show that he deserves top 5 consideration while Yushin Okami
tries to show that he still has something left in the tank. I’m sure Mr. Okami
thinks he’s still a top contender at 185, but I’m pretty sure Anderson Silva
claimed his soul. “Thunder” hasn’t really been the same since that fight. Alan
Belcher, on the other hand, finally has the rest of his skills catching up to
his fantastic striking. The Duke Roofus product looked great in his last fight
against “Paul Harris.” I think he’s going to handle Yushin on his feet and
ultimately finish the job late in the fight. Belcher by 3rd round TKO.

DJ Mark with a "K": Okami has been floating around Middle Weights top ten for
years now. Good enough to beat the majority of opponents in the division but
unable to beat the very cream of the crop it seems like its his faith to be the
gatekeeper for title contenders and up and comers. Belcher on the other hand is
considered to be a potential contender if he can get past the likes of Okami.
These two have fought before but both are different fighters now. However, I
feel the road to victory is still the same for both. Okami needs to gain
control of the fight and be able to wear down Belcher. Belcher needs to keep
this fight standing and use his footwork and kicks to keep Okami at distance.
It’s going to be a close fight but I think Okami will be able to control enough
of the fight to get a somewhat controversial decision.Okami by decision

Kid Presentable: Belcher is a guy I have been propping up for a
little bit now, and it was great to be vindicated by his last performance
against Palhares. Okami seems to be heading toward the declining stage of his
career, even though that is kind of hard to tell when all Okami victories
pretty much have the same grinding look to them. Belcher has always come with
the creative and powerful striking arsenal being a Duke Roufus guy, but it has
his been his strength on the ground and in the clinch that has seen Belcher
round out his entire mma game. Belcher should be able to fend off Okami’s
clinch game and make him pay on the feet. I think Belcher will beat up Yushin,
and at some point will drop him, and then will finish with the sub. Belcher by
RNC round 3.

Lavender Gooms: Let’s get the facts down. Yushin Okami is still the man (at the very least I think he is). His only two
losses in the last three years have been to Anderson Silva (no one to sneeze
at) and to Boetsch (a fight in which he was dominating for most of it). These two fought once before and while much
has changed, much as also stayed the same.
Okami still has the ability to break Belcher’s will with his grinding
style of wrestling and can hold his own on his feet with his boxing as long as
he doesn’t get cornered. Okami by
decision.Picking Belcher-Kid P, Dr. LawPicking Okami- Gooms, DJ MarkDerek Brunson v. Chris Leben

Image via Sherdog

Doctor Law: The Crippler makes his return after being suspended for a
year after testing positive for some serious pain killers. Everybody knows
Leben has battled plenty of demons over the years. Hopefully this is the time
he stays clean. I feel sorry for Derek Brunson in this fight. Not only does the
storyline favor a Leben win, reality does too. He’s a good fighter and all, but
I don’t think he’s ready for Chris Leben. His best hope is that Leben shows up
out of shape or rusty. If Jacare knocks out you in less than a minute, Chris
Leben is definitely putting you to sleep. Leben
by 1st round KO. DJ Mark with a "K": Even though Leben has been out of action for a while I still
see him as the favorite in this fight. It’s hard to look at Brunson’s last
fight against Jacre and think that Leben can’t get the same result. I believe
Brunson was a late replacement but still, this doesn’t look good for Brunson
making his UFC debut. However, this is a great fight for Leben to get back in
the swing of things. I think he’ll make short work of Brunson but you could be
wrong. Leben 1st round KO 2:04.

Kid Presentable: Derek Brunson adds to the assault of Strikeforce
fighters into the various UFC divisions. Unfortunately for him though, there is
only one way this fight ends and that is with Chris Leben putting him to sleep.
Jacare is a very talented fighter, and I look forward to him coming over to the
middleweight division. However, he only has one KO to his name which came at
the price of Brunson’s head. Leben is coming back from another battle with
drugs and alcohol, yet no matter what it will always remain that this dude can
hit. Leben by KO round 1.

Lavender Gooms: Ring rust vs. Octagon jitters. I think Chris Leben will handle Derek Brunson
in the first round in typical Crippler fashion.
More importantly I hope Chris Leben has received the help that will keep
him in the octagon and healthy. Leben by
KO in 1st round.Picking Brunson-Picking Leben- All of us